By Relentless Aaron
DATE: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
LOCATION: U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
The highly publicized federal criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs entered its sixth day Tuesday, with his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura taking the witness stand in what has been the most emotionally charged testimony to date. Cassie is the government’s star witness in a case that accuses the music mogul of operating a sex trafficking and racketeering enterprise over a 20-year period.
KEY MOMENTS FROM TUESDAY
Cassie Ventura’s Testimony
Cassie, now visibly pregnant and due within weeks, testified under oath for the first time in the criminal case against Combs. Her appearance followed a protracted courtroom battle over the optics of her pregnancy and the presence of her husband, Alex Fine, who was ultimately allowed to remain in court except during specific testimony.
Cassie recounted how she met Combs at age 19 and described their relationship as beginning with subtle manipulation and evolving into full-scale psychological and physical abuse. She testified that Combs:
- Coerced her into sexual encounters with male escorts while he watched and directed.
- Forced her to use drugs, especially before or during these encounters.
- Videotaped the encounters for potential blackmail.
- Physically assaulted her regularly, including dragging, kicking, and stomping.
- Monitored her whereabouts, often sending staff to check on her.
She described the now-infamous “freak offs,” sessions of sexual performance she was allegedly compelled to participate in, often with strangers and under the influence of drugs. She said these experiences left her feeling numb, degraded, and powerless.
Cassie also confirmed her identity in still photos taken from the 2016 hotel security video of Diddy attacking her—a key piece of evidence for the prosecution.
Defense Attempts to Undermine Credibility
Earlier in the day, the defense cross-examined Daniel Phillip, a male escort who previously testified that he was paid to have sex with Cassie under Diddy’s instruction. Defense attorney Xavier Donaldson sought to cast Phillip as a jealous outsider with a crush on Cassie and no real insight into the power dynamics at play.
The defense also tried to show inconsistencies in Phillip’s past statements to federal investigators. However, Phillip remained firm that Diddy orchestrated and directed his encounters with Cassie.
Defense Strategy
Combs’ lawyers continued their attempt to frame all relationships and encounters as consensual, citing Cassie’s own past communications and behavior. They also argued that Cassie had a substance use history independent of Combs and claimed she may have manipulated events for financial motives. The defense maintains that Diddy’s behavior, while perhaps immoral, does not meet the legal standards of sex trafficking or racketeering.
Prosecution’s Challenge
Prosecutors must prove that Combs’ actions were not isolated incidents of domestic violence or personal dysfunction, but part of a coordinated criminal enterprise. Cassie’s testimony, along with forthcoming evidence and witness accounts, is central to connecting these patterns to federal criminal activity.
UPCOMING
The trial resumes Wednesday morning, with Cassie Ventura expected to continue her testimony. Prosecutors are likely to delve further into the alleged enterprise, including the roles of Combs’ employees and the use of blackmail material to maintain control.
The judge is also expected to rule on whether explicit video evidence shown to the jury will be made available for limited media viewing, after arguments from both the prosecution and defense to keep such footage sealed.
This case remains one of the most consequential celebrity trials in recent memory, not only for its disturbing allegations but for its broader cultural implications regarding power, coercion, and accountability.
Stay tuned for continued coverage.
RESOURCES: Live courtroom reports, AP, CNN, Independent, ABC News, Daily Mail, and Substack recaps from Just In The Nick of Crime.
